Talking to Mormons

When you read the Book of Mormon is the “burning in the bosom” you feel the Holy Ghost or is it, what Psychologists define as Elevation Emotion?  Elevation Emotion is a result of the hormone Oxytocin being released from the brain creating feelings in your chest of joy, warmth and peace.  We learn to discern the Holy Spirit from Elevation Emotion by not trusting our hearts, but by trusting in the Bible for truthAvaElders, have you heard of the phrase – Elevation Emotion? Elder SmithCan’t say we have.  What is it? AvaIt’s a term Psychologists use to describe that “burning in the bosom” feeling you talk about in Mormonism.Elder YoungThat “burning in the bosom” is the Holy Ghost. AvaOr, it could be mistaken as a physical reaction – Elevation Emotion – that tells a person they have been moved or inspired.Elder Young I’m not sure I’m understanding.

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AvaPsychologist Jonathan Haidt defines Elevation Emotion: as a physical sensation of warmth, glowing, or openness in the chest, and sometimes a tingling in the skin.  (insert video)Emotional experiences can be prompted by many different circumstances.  The elevated emotions you feel when reading or praying about the Book of Mormon are similar, to someone’s feelings when they watch a touching scene in a movie, or hear a beautiful song, witness an act of compassion, or a soldier returning home to his family.    Any one of those events can move a person to tears and swelling in their chest.  But such events do not necessarily convey spiritual or revelatory significance.  Elder SmithElevation Emotion sounds like a scientific term for the Holy Ghost.  Elder YoungHoly Ghost sounds better than Elevation Emotion.AvaWhat’s interesting, is that we can be told false or fictional stories in a movie or a book or a presentation, and feel our emotions get elevated.  Film makers are masters at creating elevated emotion to move us to tears or make our bosom swell within us.  Stories can touch us, uplift us, and inspire us.Elder SmithI agree with that.  In fact, I remember my father admired Paul H. Dunn, a Church General Authority, who wrote over 50 books and told many stories in firesides and conferences about the heroic events in his life – and it would inspire my dad.  Only to find out in time that most of those stories were either embellished or fabricated by Elder Dunn.Which resulted in Elder Dunn being released in 1989 from his Church leadership calling.      AvaSo, if elevation emotion is effective in witnessing false stories as true, then we have to be extremely careful of this human emotion.   What happens with Elevation Emotion is that a hormone in the brain known as Oxytocin is released – creating feelings in your chest of joy, satisfaction, calm, and peace.  It triggers a visceral response including love and a sense of wonder.  Religions – including Mormonism, Non-Christian, and even Christian sects will utilize this Elevation Emotion as a sign of their truthfulness or their being directed by God.  Elder SmithThen how do we discern the Holy Spirit from Elevation Emotion?  AvaWe just need to be aware that feelings and emotions are not a safe and sure way to know truth.  We can’t always trust our heart because it can deceive us.  We can fool ourselves into feeling something is right or true, only to discover it is not.  We also need to be aware that men with evil intentions will try to deceive us into believing what they write or say.  Paul warned about this in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 9.  Will you please read that passage?Elder Young“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving head to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”  AvaAnd 1 John 4 verse 1.Elder Smith“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: Because many false prophets are gone out into the world

Romans 1-3 – Come Follow Me

https://talkingtomormons.com/podcast-player/4434/romans-1-3-come-follow.mp3

We will now begin to study the epistles in the New Testament.  The manual introduces them by saying, “The Bible epistles are letters written by Church leaders to Saints in various parts of the world.  The Apostle Paul wrote most of the epistles in the New Testament – starting with Romans and ending with Hebrews.  His epistles are organized by length.  Although Romans is the first epistle in the New Testament, it was actually written near the end of Pau’s missionary journeys.”  Paul boldly declares his testimony by saying in Romans 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”   Paul teaches us that everyone has received a knowledge of God.  Romans 1:19-20 “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”  One simply needs to look at creation to know that God exists.  Creation delivers a clear message about God.  As it says in Psalms 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shew his handywork.”  So, no one is without excuse.But man will come up with their own ideas and philosophies about God.  Romans 1:22-23 “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man.”  In LDS theology it is taught that – God was once a man and has a body of flesh and bones.  This is changing the “glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man.”  When God himself said in Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither son of man, that he should repent.”   LDS theology also teaches that men may become Gods.  Paul addresses that in Romans 1:25 “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator.”  The focus of Mormonism is to have people believe they can reach Godhood.   Paul teaches us in Romans 2:11 “For there is no respect of persons with God.”  Which means that God does not show partiality towards people.  Regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic background.  

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Let’s pick up where Chapter 4

ends.  Verses 13-18 “ But I would not have you

to be ignorant (uninformed), brethren, concerning them

which are asleep (those who have died), that ye sorrow not (don’t

mourn for them), even as others which have no hope (like

others do who do not believe as we do).  For

if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in

Jesus (those who died who were faithful to Jesus) will God bring (to

heaven)

with him (Christ).  For

this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and

remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (have

any advantage over) them which are asleep (have died already).  For the Lord himself shall descend from

heaven (at the Second Coming) with a shout, with the

voice of the archangel (possibly Michael the archangel), and with the trump of

God: and the dead in Christ (the righteous dead) shall rise (be resurrected)

first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be

caught up (some people call this the rapture) together with them in the

clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the

Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with

these words.”  The

primary purpose of this passage is to provide encourageme

Romans 1-3 – Come Follow Me

https://talkingtomormons.com/podcast-player/4434/romans-1-3-come-follow.mp3

We will now begin to study the epistles in the New Testament.  The manual introduces them by saying, “The Bible epistles are letters written by Church leaders to Saints in various parts of the world.  The Apostle Paul wrote most of the epistles in the New Testament – starting with Romans and ending with Hebrews.  His epistles are organized by length.  Although Romans is the first epistle in the New Testament, it was actually written near the end of Pau’s missionary journeys.”  Paul boldly declares his testimony by saying in Romans 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”   Paul teaches us that everyone has received a knowledge of God.  Romans 1:19-20 “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”  One simply needs to look at creation to know that God exists.  Creation delivers a clear message about God.  As it says in Psalms 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shew his handywork.”  So, no one is without excuse.But man will come up with their own ideas and philosophies about God.  Romans 1:22-23 “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man.”  In LDS theology it is taught that – God was once a man and has a body of flesh and bones.  This is changing the “glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man.”  When God himself said in Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither son of man, that he should repent.”   LDS theology also teaches that men may become Gods.  Paul addresses that in Romans 1:25 “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator.”  The focus of Mormonism is to have people believe they can reach Godhood.   Paul teaches us in Romans 2:11 “For there is no respect of persons with God.”  Which means that God does not show partiality towards people.  Regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic background.  

Read More

Let’s pick up where Chapter 4

ends.  Verses 13-18 “ But I would not have you

to be ignorant (uninformed), brethren, concerning them

which are asleep (those who have died), that ye sorrow not (don’t

mourn for them), even as others which have no hope (like

others do who do not believe as we do).  For

if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in

Jesus (those who died who were faithful to Jesus) will God bring (to

heaven)

with him (Christ).  For

this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and

remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (have

any advantage over) them which are asleep (have died already).  For the Lord himself shall descend from

heaven (at the Second Coming) with a shout, with the

voice of the archangel (possibly Michael the archangel), and with the trump of

God: and the dead in Christ (the righteous dead) shall rise (be resurrected)

first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be

caught up (some people call this the rapture) together with them in the

clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the

Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with

these words.”  The

primary purpose of this passage is to provide encourageme

Romans 1-3 – Come Follow Me

https://talkingtomormons.com/podcast-player/4434/romans-1-3-come-follow.mp3

We will now begin to study the epistles in the New Testament.  The manual introduces them by saying, “The Bible epistles are letters written by Church leaders to Saints in various parts of the world.  The Apostle Paul wrote most of the epistles in the New Testament – starting with Romans and ending with Hebrews.  His epistles are organized by length.  Although Romans is the first epistle in the New Testament, it was actually written near the end of Pau’s missionary journeys.”  Paul boldly declares his testimony by saying in Romans 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”   Paul teaches us that everyone has received a knowledge of God.  Romans 1:19-20 “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”  One simply needs to look at creation to know that God exists.  Creation delivers a clear message about God.  As it says in Psalms 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shew his handywork.”  So, no one is without excuse.But man will come up with their own ideas and philosophies about God.  Romans 1:22-23 “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man.”  In LDS theology it is taught that – God was once a man and has a body of flesh and bones.  This is changing the “glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man.”  When God himself said in Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither son of man, that he should repent.”   LDS theology also teaches that men may become Gods.  Paul addresses that in Romans 1:25 “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator.”  The focus of Mormonism is to have people believe they can reach Godhood.   Paul teaches us in Romans 2:11 “For there is no respect of persons with God.”  Which means that God does not show partiality towards people.  Regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic background.  

Read More

Let’s pick up where Chapter 4

ends.  Verses 13-18 “ But I would not have you

to be ignorant (uninformed), brethren, concerning them

which are asleep (those who have died), that ye sorrow not (don’t

mourn for them), even as others which have no hope (like

others do who do not believe as we do).  For

if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in

Jesus (those who died who were faithful to Jesus) will God bring (to

heaven)

with him (Christ).  For

this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and

remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (have

any advantage over) them which are asleep (have died already).  For the Lord himself shall descend from

heaven (at the Second Coming) with a shout, with the

voice of the archangel (possibly Michael the archangel), and with the trump of

God: and the dead in Christ (the righteous dead) shall rise (be resurrected)

first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be

caught up (some people call this the rapture) together with them in the

clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the

Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with

these words.”  The

primary purpose of this passage is to provide encourageme

What is the meaning of “wisdom” as referenced in James 1:5?  What is the meaning of the “Royal Law?”  What does James mean when he says, “faith without works is dead?”  Is there a conflict in what James teaches about works and, what Paul are teaches about faith? Here we go!  The General Epistle of James.  So called General Epistle because it was written to a general audience.  James was the son of Joseph and Mary – half-brother of Jesus.  He first rejected Jesus as Messiah (see John 7:5), but later believed (see 1 Corinthians 15:7).  Of all the apostles, this James was first to be martyred.  Acts 12:1-2 tells us that he was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa around the year A.D. 62.  James had been the leader of the church in Jerusalem.  The writer does not use the title of an apostle – but calls himself in Chapter 1 Verse 1 “James, as servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes (Jewish converts) which are scattered (because of persecution – called the diaspora) abroad, greeting.”  Paul in some of his epistles and John in his epistles don’t introduce themselves as an apostle.  So, it’s no big deal that James doesn’t either.  Verse 2 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers (various) temptations (trials);” Verse 3 “Knowing this, that the trying (proving and testing) of your faith worketh (builds) patience (perseverance).”  Verse 4 “But let patience have (do) her perfect work, that ye may be perfect (complete) and entire, wanting (lacking) nothing.”  We quickly come upon one of the best-known verses among members of the LDS Church.  It was supposedly, the verse that Joseph Smith Jr. read – which motivated him to go into the woods and pray.  The reported result of that prayer was the First Vision (see Joseph Smith – History 1:11-20).  Verse 5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not (won’t restrict or rebuke ); and it shall be given him.”  Mormons use this verse to support their view that you can ascertain whether a religion is true or not – simply by praying about it.  It was a favorite tool of mine, as a young LDS missionary.  But I have since learned in my life that the way to identify a true religion is not simply by praying – but by testing its claims according to the clear teachings of God’s Word.  In all of this – we have to do what every serious student of the Bible must do – look at the verse in context.  First, what does “wisdom” mean in relation to its immediate context in the letter of James?  Within the framework of James, the passage sets the tone and subject of the entire letter.  James is a book of wisdom – that is, a book of advice and admonishment.  The remainder of the letter is, in one sense, a long answer to the question of what is meant by “wisdom” in 1:5.   In short, the concept of wisdom is – the ability to use knowledge in a practical way to the best advantage.  The Bible never tells us to pray about spiritual truth.  Instead the Bible tells us to compare all things with Scripture (see Acts 17:11 and 2 Timothy 3:16) because it is through the word of God that we have spiritual truths revealed to us.  The context of James 1:5 is about gaining wisdom through difficult trials and the testing of one’s faith – not about praying to find out which church is true, or – to find out if a book is true.  Then James goes on to tell the Jewish believers to have faith – and trust God.   Verse 6 “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering (not doubting).  For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed (in other words, is unstable).”  Moving on to Verses 13-15 “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man (in other words, God does not tempt people to do evil):  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn (pulled or dragged) away of his own lust (desires), and enticed.  Then when lust

The general theme of Chapter 9 is the same as the two preceding chapters – showing that Christ as High Priest is superior to the Jewish high priests.  The more focused point here in Chapter 9 is – that the former dispensation was a mere shadow, type or figure, – and that latter dispensation was real and efficacious.  Verse 14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot (as a perfect sacrifice, without sin) to God, purge your conscience from dead works (works of the unsaved are worthless) to serve the living God (the believer is freed from sin to serve the living God)?”   When Christ entered the Most Holy Place, He did so to offer His own blood once and for all time – making future sacrifices unnecessary.  This is what Jesus meant by His dying words on the cross: “It is finished.”  Only by accepting Jesus’ blood – shed on the cross for the remission of sins – can we stand before God covered in the righteousness of Christ.  Verse 15 “And for this cause he (Christ) is the mediator of the new testament (new covenant), that by means of death (by offering Himself as a sacrifice), for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament (to redeem us from personal sins which remain upon us when we lived by the law), they which are called (who believe on Christ) might receive the promise of eternal inheritance (joint-heirs with Christ in heaven).” We end Chapter 9 with an interesting passage, Verse 27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to do die, but after this the judgment.”  I have heard even Christians say, they would consider re-incarnation to be an option after death.  Reincarnation is a Hindu belief that teaches the rebirth of a person’s soul into a new body – be it human or animal.  That is NOT a biblical teaching.  Paul teaches in Verse 27, that we die – only once.  And after that- we are judged by God.  Chapter 10:14-17 “For by one offering (sacrifice) he (Christ) hath perfected (He provided a way for believers to be made righteous by and through His shed blood) for ever them that are sanctified (made holy).  Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he (Christ) had said before (in the past, as recorded in Jeremiah 31:33-34),  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days (after the Law of Moses), saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”  Now, from Verse 18 of Chapter 10, to the end of Chapter 12, the writer of Hebrews begins to petition his readers toward unrelenting faith in Christ.  The passages are outstanding in their clarity of what it means to be a Christian and that our relationship with Christ is all predicated upon faith in Him alone.  Verses 18-22 “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.  Having therefore, brethren, boldness (confidence) to enter into the holiest (Holy of Holies) by the blood of Jesus (because of His Atonement),  By a new and living way (Christ), which he hath consecrated (prepared) for us, through the veil (when the temple veil was torn in two), that is to say, his flesh (His sacrifice).  And having an high priest over the house (kingdom) of God;  Let us draw near (approach God) with a true heart (sincere heart) in full assurance (confidence) of faith, having our hearts sprinkled (cleansed by the blood of Christ) from an evil (guilty) conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water (not water baptism, but the Holy Spirit’s purifying by means of the Word of God).”     

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The Prophet Ezekiel, tapping into this imagery and into the time when God would change His people from the heart said: Ezekiel 36:25-26 “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you (referring to the Holy Spirit), and ye sh

Romans 1-3 – Come Follow Me

https://talkingtomormons.com/podcast-player/4434/romans-1-3-come-follow.mp3

We will now begin to study the epistles in the New Testament.  The manual introduces them by saying, “The Bible epistles are letters written by Church leaders to Saints in various parts of the world.  The Apostle Paul wrote most of the epistles in the New Testament – starting with Romans and ending with Hebrews.  His epistles are organized by length.  Although Romans is the first epistle in the New Testament, it was actually written near the end of Pau’s missionary journeys.”  Paul boldly declares his testimony by saying in Romans 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”   Paul teaches us that everyone has received a knowledge of God.  Romans 1:19-20 “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”  One simply needs to look at creation to know that God exists.  Creation delivers a clear message about God.  As it says in Psalms 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shew his handywork.”  So, no one is without excuse.But man will come up with their own ideas and philosophies about God.  Romans 1:22-23 “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man.”  In LDS theology it is taught that – God was once a man and has a body of flesh and bones.  This is changing the “glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man.”  When God himself said in Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither son of man, that he should repent.”   LDS theology also teaches that men may become Gods.  Paul addresses that in Romans 1:25 “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator.”  The focus of Mormonism is to have people believe they can reach Godhood.   Paul teaches us in Romans 2:11 “For there is no respect of persons with God.”  Which means that God does not show partiality towards people.  Regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic background.  

Read More

Let’s pick up where Chapter 4

ends.  Verses 13-18 “ But I would not have you

to be ignorant (uninformed), brethren, concerning them

which are asleep (those who have died), that ye sorrow not (don’t

mourn for them), even as others which have no hope (like

others do who do not believe as we do).  For

if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in

Jesus (those who died who were faithful to Jesus) will God bring (to

heaven)

with him (Christ).  For

this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and

remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (have

any advantage over) them which are asleep (have died already).  For the Lord himself shall descend from

heaven (at the Second Coming) with a shout, with the

voice of the archangel (possibly Michael the archangel), and with the trump of

God: and the dead in Christ (the righteous dead) shall rise (be resurrected)

first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be

caught up (some people call this the rapture) together with them in the

clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the

Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with

these words.”  The

primary purpose of this passage is to provide encourageme

Romans 1-3 – Come Follow Me

https://talkingtomormons.com/podcast-player/4434/romans-1-3-come-follow.mp3

We will now begin to study the epistles in the New Testament.  The manual introduces them by saying, “The Bible epistles are letters written by Church leaders to Saints in various parts of the world.  The Apostle Paul wrote most of the epistles in the New Testament – starting with Romans and ending with Hebrews.  His epistles are organized by length.  Although Romans is the first epistle in the New Testament, it was actually written near the end of Pau’s missionary journeys.” 

Paul boldly declares his testimony by saying in Romans 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”   

Paul teaches us that everyone has received a knowledge of God.  Romans 1:19-20 “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” 

Who was Melchizedek?  Was he a priesthood to be handed down and transferred to other men?  How was Melchizedek (King of Salem) a representation of the coming Messiah?  We are about to find our answers.   Chapter 7 is the focal point of the epistle to the Hebrews because of its detailed comparison of the priesthood of Christ and the Levitical high priesthood.  Last week at the end of Chapter 6, the writer of Hebrews ended by saying that Christ was made “after the order of Melchizedek.” Now Hebrews 7:1-2 “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem (Jeru-salem), priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the (maraudering band of) kings, and blessed him;  To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all (a tenth of the spoils of war); first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;”  So, who was this Melchizedek?  He was another TYPE of Jesus Christ – not of a priesthood to be handed down like the Levitical priesthood.  There is no mention of any Melchizedek priesthood – just a figure named Melchizedek who was such an imposing high priest even Abraham, the father of our faith, paid him respect and homage.  Prior to Sinai, the patriarchs – or fathers of each family – were established priests of the land.   Then at Sinai, God established a priesthood based on the heritage of Aaron.  Melchizedek was a great high priest prior to the establishment of the priesthood based on heritage.  And, he was a figure for our final high priest – Jesus Christ.  In Genesis, it says that Melchizedek – king of righteousness and priest of the most high God – brought to Abraham “bread and wine.”  The very same elements Jesus established communion upon in the upper room.  Melchizedek predated and typified Christ in his priestly duties of approaching the throne of God on our behalf.  Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek as an indication that Jesus’ position of authority and power were far above even Father Abraham.  This story is NOT about Abraham paying a tenth or tithing – it is about a freewill offering in which Abraham gave – as a sign of being subservient to a High Priest who was greater than himself.  Abraham gave him a tenth of the spoils.  It wasn’t a tenth of all his personal possessions or income.  It was a one-time offering following war.  Then in Verse 3 speaking of Melchizedek – that he was “Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest continually.”  Now, we’re really getting the picture about this character Melchizedek as a type of Jesus.  Did the pre-incarnate Word of God have a Father?  No!  There was not a father of Jesus as there was no Jesus preincarnate – but the Word of God (see John 1:1) – and the Word of God had no father, nor mother!   And then the writer says that He was without descent.  The Greek word for “without descent” is “agenealogetos.”  Without genealogy!  “having neither beginning of days nor end of life” meaning existing eternally in the past and eternally into the future.  “but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest continually.”  David gives us some insight in Psalm 110:4 “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”  Where other priests (of the Levitical order were merely high priests while alive), Christ would perform His sacred duties beyond this life and into the eternities (see Hebrews 7:22-27).  The object of the writer of Hebrews is to show that Jesus is a better – or superior – High Priest than the Jewish high priest – by likening Him to Melchizedek.  Whether Melchizedek was a real mortal man, or He was a pre-incarnate Christophany of the Messiah to come – we don’t know for sure.  The important thing is that we understand the parallels between this Old Testament character and Jesus.

Romans 1-3 – Come Follow Me

https://talkingtomormons.com/podcast-player/4434/romans-1-3-come-follow.mp3

We will now begin to study the epistles in the New Testament.  The manual introduces them by saying, “The Bible epistles are letters written by Church leaders to Saints in various parts of the world.  The Apostle Paul wrote most of the epistles in the New Testament – starting with Romans and ending with Hebrews.  His epistles are organized by length.  Although Romans is the first epistle in the New Testament, it was actually written near the end of Pau’s missionary journeys.” 

Paul boldly declares his testimony by saying in Romans 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”   

Paul teaches us that everyone has received a knowledge of God.  Romans 1:19-20 “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”